Having struggled all his life to achieve the rank of Colonel, only to be stripped of it in a day, old Dong felt a bitterness as profound as the wild grass beneath the wheels of the prisoner cart, as bitter as the yellow gentian between the cracks in the stones. His former arrogance was no more.
"Life is unpredictable. Before seeing this arrogant young man meet his death, I am already facing a grim fate," Dong Zhuo muttered to himself as he raised his hands bound in iron chains, speaking in a low voice, "If your esteemed father, Inspector Wang, could offer some assistance, I would be immensely grateful!"
Wang Yan kept a close eye on Dong Zhuo's attribute panel.
**Name: Dong Zhuo**
- Strength: 87
- Leadership: 85
- Intelligence: 73
- Charisma: 55
The emotions fluctuated rapidly, and the numbers rose steadily.
**Emotion Value 22%**
**Emotion Value 24%**
Wow.
Wang Yan felt a thrill. Old Dong was anxious and unsettled, with significant emotional fluctuations. Could he convert Dong Zhuo into one of his followers? Turning a substantial villain into a loyal disciple was an exciting prospect. It was worth a try.
"May I ask, General, do you resent the court?" Wang Yan inquired.
"I dare not. I failed in battle and deserved punishment!" Dong Zhuo replied firmly, his words resolute, but Wang Yan seemed to hear the sound of his teeth grinding.
Hypocritical.
This downfall was the beginning of his dark transformation. Perceiving Dong Zhuo's insincerity, Wang Yan began his performance.
"My mentor, Master Lu, is also loyal to the country yet suffered false accusations. His experience is so similar to yours, General. I feel deeply for both my mentor and you," Wang Yan declared.
Dong Zhuo was momentarily stunned. A young noble like Wang Yan was comparing him, a mere military man, to a great Confucian scholar? Had he achieved such fame?
**Emotion Value 44%**
On any other day, Dong Zhuo would have dismissed the words of a young noble like Wang Yan, but today's circumstances were different. People love to add to the splendor of the winners but rarely offer help to those in need. Wang Yan's recognition deeply comforted the distressed Dong Zhuo.
Wang Yan pressed on.
"Your achievements, General, were earned by wielding your sword and horse, fighting through bloodshed and mountains of corpses. Yet His Majesty, based on the slander of a few, condemns you. How unjust is this?"
"It's not just us who feel this injustice. How can the thousands of soldiers under your command not feel disheartened?"
**Emotion Value 66%**
"The current emperor is weak, deceived by wicked officials, while capable ministers are sidelined. General, a person of your ambition and ability, serving the country with all your might, ends up like this. Who else would remain loyal to the Han?"
"This Yellow Turban Rebellion, I see no need to quell it!"
Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei exchanged bewildered looks. Moments ago, the passionate youth was eager to slay Zhang Jue, and now he seemed disillusioned, even supporting the once-arrogant Dong Zhuo.
"Ziyuan, one cannot make such reckless statements. The court has its judgments," Liu Bei cautioned. Though Liu Bei disagreed, Dong Zhuo felt that Wang Yan's words spoke directly to his heart.
"Ziyuan, your heartfelt words have moved me deeply. You have a bright future ahead, so avoid speaking such dangerous words. Be wary of those who might use them against you," Dong Zhuo warned, glancing warily at Liu Bei and his brothers.
Liu Bei: ...
Guan Yu: ...
Zhang Fei: ...
**Emotion Value 88%**
Good. The great villain was now leaning towards Wang Yan. Seeing Dong Zhuo's emotional value nearing 100, Wang Yan was thrilled. If he could capture the great villain, it would be even more impressive than recruiting Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.
This could save him years of effort!
But at that moment, distant sounds of fierce shouting and horse whinnies, accompanied by the thunder of drums, echoed across the sky. A vast Yellow Turban army, as numerous as a plague of locusts, was charging towards the Han camp, raising clouds of dust and sand, with banners bearing the titles "General of Heaven," "General of Earth," and "General of Man."
Wang Yan's heart skipped a beat. Zhang Jue had brought Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang, launching a full-scale attack!
Seeing the overwhelming enemy force, everyone tensed, their expressions turning grave. Wang Yan quickly realized that Zhang Jue must have an insider in the court. Learning about the change in Han leadership, Zhang Jue seized the opportunity to crush the northern rebellion forces before Huangfu Song could arrive.
The Han Dynasty was indeed rotten to the core.
Guan Yu planted his Green Dragon Crescent Blade into the ground, exuding an imposing aura. His eyes narrowed in focus, brimming with battle spirit. Zhang Fei widened his eyes and struggled to calm his restless steed. Liu Bei's gaze flickered, rapidly assessing the situation, contemplating whether to fight or retreat.
Dong Zhuo, unable to suppress his fear, urgently urged the soldiers, "Hurry, let's go. Staying here means certain death!"
Simultaneously, his emotional value plummeted.
**Emotion Value 77%**
**Emotion Value 44%**
...
Wang Yan: ???
No way. After all the build-up, just as he was about to make a breakthrough, Dong Zhuo wanted to leave?
Seeing the prize slipping away, Wang Yan couldn't accept it.
"General, please listen to me," Wang Yan implored.
But Dong Zhuo, desperate to survive, believed the leaderless Han army couldn't withstand Zhang Jue's attack. "Ziyuan, there's no time for useless words at this critical moment. Get us out of here!"
Wang Yan: ...
It was over. Dong Zhuo had lost interest.
Frustrating.
Wang Yan seethed with anger. His eyes fixed on the figure under the "General of Heaven" banner. Zhang Jue, dressed in a Daoist robe adorned with strange symbols and totems, a black silk belt around his waist, and long hair and beard fluttering in the wind, truly exuded an ethereal, otherworldly aura.
Zhang Jue had nearly caused Wang Yan's death, indirectly led to Wang Er's demise, and now disrupted his plans to recruit Dong Zhuo. Not to mention the countless commoners who suffered, all these grudges added up, fueling Wang Yan's rage. He stared at Zhang Jue with bright, intense eyes, like a hunter eyeing his prey.
As the armies clashed, Wang Yan's long-awaited moment of reckoning had arrived.
"Zhang Jue, finally, we meet."